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How do I help my autistic child move to a new house?

Preparing with photos and a countdown, setting up their room first, and keeping routines going.

By The Autism Kit teamUpdated Sep 28, 2026 · 1 min read
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A child peeking out of a cardboard box among moving boxes
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The short answer

Moving is a huge change. Prepare early with a social story, photos or videos of the new home, and a calendar countdown. Visit if you can. Pack your child's room last and unpack it first, set it up as close to the old room as possible, and keep daily routines the same. Expect some unsettled weeks, and give extra downtime.

Key takeaways
  • Prepare with a social story and photos.
  • Use a countdown calendar.
  • Pack their room last, unpack it first.
  • Keep routines the same.

How do I prepare my child?

  1. Write a social story about moving.1
  2. Show photos or video of the new home, their room, and nearby places.
  3. Visit if you can.
  4. Count down on a calendar.2

What helps on moving day?

Try
  • A family member or friend to care for your child
  • A bag of favourite things kept with them
  • Setting up their room first
  • The same bedtime routine that night
Skip
  • Packing their room first
  • Throwing away old things without asking
  • Lots of new furniture at once

What about the first weeks?

Keep routines, meals and bedtimes the same. Explore the new area slowly, one place at a time. Expect some unsettled behaviour, and give extra downtime.

Free printable: social narrative templatePDF · 1 page · a simple story to prepare for a new or hard situation
Download Free printable: social narrative template

What can I do before the move?

0 of 3 done

Common questions

As soon as plans are firm, with a countdown calendar so they can see when it will happen.

Sources

  1. Carol Gray Social Stories. carolgraysocialstories.com
  2. AFIRM (UNC Frank Porter Graham): Visual supports evidence-based practice brief. afirm.fpg.unc.edu

This guide shares general information and our team's perspective, based on the sources above. Every child is different, so please talk with your child's doctor or care team about what's right for your family. How we write our guides.

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